Fence post

ABSTRACT

A fence post comprising a first post member including at least one through rail opening formed therethrough. There is also at least one through wire opening formed through the post member with an insulating member positioned therein. Additionally, at least one cavity is formed in the first post member for receiving a preserving composition therein. A driving member is fixed to a bottom surface of the first post member that includes at least one projection having a predetermined contour projecting from a bottom surface thereof for breaking obstacles as the first post member is driven through a ground surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The subject invention is related to fence posts that are heavy duty,economical, and designed for long-term usage with low maintenance of thefence posts. Such type of fence posts are most commonly employed for useon, for example, farms and the like.

Additionally, such fence posts are utilized in combination with rails orrailing systems to provide a fencing system. Furthermore, such fenceposts may be used in combination with electrical wiring to providesecurity measures along with a fencing system. Yet further, such fenceposts may be pre-formed with mechanisms to allow for integration of bothrailing and electrical wiring systems.

The invention is generally directed to fence posts for use in fencingsystems. The invention is further generally directed to fence posts thatare capable of being easily coupled to railing systems and electricalwiring. Still further, this invention is generally directed to fenceposts that are easily installed by incorporating mechanism to enhanceinsertion of the fence posts and various fence post designs into varioussurfaces.

This invention is further generally directed to fence posts thatincorporate preserving compositions to be positioned therein. Suchpreserving compositions prevent (1) deterioration of the fence posts,(2) infestation by termites/insects, and (3) fungal infestations. Thus,by incorporating such preserving compositions, the overall life span ofthe fence posts is increased.

PRIOR ART

Fence posts for use with fencing systems are well-known in the art.However, most conventional fence posts do not adequately provide forcoupling with electrical wiring. Additionally, most conventional fenceposts do not provide for insulation of electrical wiring, thus allowingusers to touch the fence post without being shocked, while providingsecurity to a fencing system.

Furthermore, conventional fence posts do not provide for mechanisms toenhance or ease insertion of a fence post into various types of groundsurfaces and soils.

Still further, conventional fence posts do not provide for accommodatingpreserving compositions to increase the life span of the fence post bypreventing deterioration, infestation by termites/insects, and fungalinfestation.

As an example, a conventional 5′×4′ (cross section) post has 20 squareinches of area to drive. Such Conventional post requires a large drivingforce.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a fence post that is heavy duty,economical, easy to install in terms of speed and driving force, anddesigned for long-term and low-maintenance usage.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a fence post thatis formed with the capability of being coupled with electrical wiringfor enhancing security measures of a fencing system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a fence postthat is easily installable by incorporating a driving member to enhanceinsertion of the fence post into various ground surfaces and varioustypes of soils.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a fencepost designed for long-term use by including preserving compositionstherein for preventing deterioration, infestation by termites/insectsand fungal infestations of the fence post.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a fencepost that requires a lesser driving force than Conventional posts.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a fencepost having varying configurations for enhanced structural strength.

These and other objects are attained by the fence post of the presentinvention. The fence post generally comprises a first post member havinga substantially rectangular cross-section and including at least onethrough rail opening formed in the first post member. There is at leastone through wire opening formed through the first post member. Thethrough wire opening has an insulating member positioned therein. Thereis at least one cavity formed in the first post member for receiving apreserving composition therein. Furthermore, there is a driving memberfixed to a bottom surface of the first post member and covers at least aportion of the bottom surface. The driving member includes at least oneprojection having a predetermined contour projecting from a bottomsurface of the driving member for breaking obstacles as the first postmember is driven through a ground surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fence post with railing andelectrical wiring;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the fence post without railing andelectrical wiring;

FIG. 5 is a top down sectional view of an embodiment in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top down sectional view of an embodiment in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top down sectional view of an embodiment in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of thefence post without railing and electrical wiring; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the fence post as shown in FIG. 8 withrailing and electrical wiring.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-9, there is shown a fence post 2 that is insertedor driven through a ground surface 26 for use with rails 32 andelectrical wiring 34. The fence post 2 may be fabricated from well-knownmaterials such as wood boards, finger pointed wood scraps, recycledcomposites, and ceramic materials, as will be discussed in furtherdetail. Additionally, the fence post 2 may be fabricated with any numberof through rail openings 10 and through wire openings 12, based onproduction needs and desires.

As detailed, the fence post 2 is adapted to be coupled or used withrails 32 and electrical wiring 34 to form a fence system as shown inFIG. 3. One example of possible uses of the fence post 2 is, forexample, as part of a fence system on a farm. Such fence systems areconventionally known to be used to keep certain animals within aconfined area and keep other animals outside of such a confined area.Additionally, such fence systems utilizing fence posts 2 are used toprovide security to parcels of land.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown the fence post 2. In a preferredembodiment, the fence post 2 is formed of a first post member 4 whichhas a substantially rectangular cross-section. However, depending onconstruction and design parameters, the first post member 4 may be anygeometric shape while maintaining the ability to ease speed ofinstallation while decreasing the required driving force to drive thefirst post member 4 through a ground surface 26. The first post member 4is formed preferably including thermoplastic resins or thermosetmaterials. The first post member 4 can be one pure or integrally formedpost including the thermoplastic or thermoset materials. Examples ofthermoset materials used in molding the first post member 4 includesawdust, wood flour, bamboo, kenaf grass, light weight ceramics, andscrap rubber. Additional thermoset resins include polyurea, phenolics,melamine, slues and other urea resins. Thermosets and thermosetmaterials are known for exhibiting exceptional mechanical, thermal,electrical, and physical properties. Mechanical properties include tearstrength, ultimate tensile strength, while thermal properties includemaximum use temperature, thermal conductivity, and coefficient ofthermal expansion. Again, such properties of thermoset materials arewell-known in the art and thus, their use within the molding/fabricationprocess of the first post member 4 leads to the excellentcharacteristics of the overall fence post 2, as detailed above.

As shown in FIGS. 4-9, the first post member 4 includes at least onethrough rail opening 10 formed therethrough. As shown in FIG. 3, thethrough rail opening 10 is formed through the first post member 4 tohold rail members 32. The number of through rail openings 10 formed inthe first post member 4 may vary based on production needs and desires.

As shown in FIGS. 4-9, the first post member 4 includes at least onethrough wire opening 12 formed therethrough. The through wire opening 12has an insulating member 14 positioned therein. In this manner, thethrough wire opening 12 accommodates electrical wiring 34, as shown inFIG. 3, with the insulating member 14 used to insulate the first postmember 4 and the overall fence post 2 from electrical charges.Additionally, electrical wiring may be provided with a fence systemwithout affecting the fence post 2 and in particular, the first postmember 4. Furthermore, the first post member 4 accommodates theelectrical wiring 34 without causing damage thereto.

The insulating member 14, as seen in FIGS. 5-7, positioned in thethrough wire opening 12 of the first post member 4 may be made of anywell-known insulating material. Preferably, the insulating member 14 isformed of rubber or rubber materials and positioned within the throughwire opening 12 of first post member 4. The insulating member 14 mayextend and cover an entire inner surface area of the through wireopening 12. Alternatively, the insulating member 14 may extend and coverselective portions of the through wire opening 12.

The first post member 4 further includes at least one cavity 16 formedtherein for receiving a preserving composition. The cavity 16 may beformed on any part of the first post member 4. In the preferredembodiment, the cavity 16 is formed on a bottom surface 30 of the firstpost member 4, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As will be discussed infollowing paragraphs, the cavity 16 formed on the bottom surface 30 ofthe first post member 4 is enclosed when the driving member 20 isattached thereto.

The preserving composition 18 is a non-toxic wood preserver thatprevents rotting, infestation by termites or insects, and rotting byfungus. The preserving composition may be a time-released pellet or anysuch composition as long as the preserving composition can be insertedinto the cavity 16 of the first post member 4. The preservingcomposition will include materials such as sodium borate, silica gel,and manganese ore.

Alternatively, the preserving composition 18 may be impregnated duringmanufacturing throughout the first post member 4 also incorporating atime-release nature. Additionally, the preserving composition 18 may bea powder dispersed throughout the first post member 4, a liquid, or anyother form as long as such prevents rotting, infestation by insects, androtting by fungus.

The fence post 2 further comprises a driving member 20 fixed to thebottom surface 30 of the first post member 4, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.The driving member 20 includes at least one projection 22 having apredetermined contour projecting from a bottom surface of the drivingmember 20. The projection 22 and the driving member 20 enhance breakingof obstacles in the path of the fence post 2 and in particular the firstpost member 4 when the first post member 4 is driven through a groundsurface 26.

The driving member 20 may be formed of any well-known durable materialwhich will not deteriorate or become damaged upon impingement in aground surface 26. Preferably, the driving member 20 is formed of steel.In this manner, the driving member 20 breaks up small rocks and roots oftrees, as detailed, when the fence post 2 is driven through a groundsurface 26. Additionally, the driving member 20 functions to protect thebottom surface 30 of the first post member 4 and the overall fence post2. Thus, the driving member 20 functions to prevent well-known problemsfrom occurring to the bottom surface 30 of the first post member 4, suchas, deterioration due to the external environment, damage by obstaclesin a path of the fence post 2, etc. Furthermore, the driving member 20covers the cavity 16 formed on the bottom surface 30 of the first postmember 4, which holds the preserving composition therein. Thus, if thepreserving composition is, for example, a time-released pellet, noexternal factors will detrimentally affect it since the preservingcomposition is effectively sealed from the external environment by beingpositioned/sandwiched between the driving member 20 and bottom surface30 of first post member 4.

The fence post 2, in the preferred embodiment, further includes a secondpost member 6 fixedly coupled to a back surface of the first postmember, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 5. In an alternative embodiment, thesecond post member 6 may be integrally formed with the first post member4 to form the overall fence post 2. With the second post member 6fixedly coupled to a back surface of the first post member 4, thedriving member 20 is extended to cover the bottom surface of not onlythe first post member 4, but also the second post member 6, as seen inFIG. 1. In this manner, the driving member 20 protects an entire bottomsurface of the fence post 2 (including the first post member 4 andsecond post member 6).

Similar to the first post member 4, the second post member 6 has asubstantially rectangular cross-section. However, depending on designparameters, the second post member 6 may be of different geometricshapes. Additionally, the second post member 6 is formed preferablyincluding thermoplastic resins or thermoset materials. Similar to thematerials used in the first post member 4, examples of thermosetmaterials used in molding the second post member 6 include sawdust, woodflour, bamboo, kenaf grass, light weight ceramics, and scrap rubber.Additional thermoset resins include polyurea phenolics, melamine, glues,and other urea resins. As detailed above, the excellent properties ofthermoset materials are well-known in the art and thus, their use withinthe molding/fabrication of the second post member 6 leads to theexcellent characteristics of the overall fence post 2, as detailedabove.

Also as detailed above, the first post member 4 includes at least onecavity 16 formed therein for receiving a preserving composition 18. Inthe preferred embodiment, the cavity 16 is formed on a bottom surface 30of the first post member 4. However, when a second post member 6 isfixed to the back surface of the first post member 4, another cavity 16may be formed on the overall bottom surface of the first post and secondpost members, as seen in FIG. 2. Thus, the cavity 16 formed on bottomsurfaces of the first post member 4 and the second post member 6 willreceive the preserving composition 18. Since adding a second post member6 increases the surface area of the bottom surface of the fence post 2,adding additional cavities 16 to the bottom surface of the second postmember only enhances the ability of the fence post 2 to incorporatepreserving compositions 18 to prevent degradation, infestation bytermites/insects, or degradation by fungus.

As the fence post 2 includes both the first post member 4 and the secondpost member 6, and the driving member 20 is extended to cover bottomsurfaces thereof, the driving member will include additional projections22 having predetermined contours projecting from the bottom surfacethereof. Thus, the driving member 20 will enhance breaking of obstaclesin the path of the entire fence post 2 (including the first post member4 and the second post member 6) when the fence post 2 is driven througha ground surface 26.

Similar to the driving member 20 covering the cavity 16 of the firstpost member 4, when cavities are formed in the bottom surface of thesecond post member 6, the driving member 20 will cover and protect thepreserving composition 18 therein as detailed above.

In a preferred embodiment, as seen in FIG. 9, the first post member 4includes a pair of opposing side surfaces 28 that have concave contours.FIG. 8 shows the first member 4 driven into a ground surface, withoutrailing and electrical wiring. FIG. 9 shows the same first post member 4as in FIG. 8, but including railing and electrical wiring. Such concavecontours as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, enhances the ability to drive theoverall fence post 2 into a ground surface 26. However, the sidesurfaces may also be substantially planar 28 a as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6.

Further referring to the driving member 20 as seen in FIG. 1, theprojection 22 includes a predetermined contour as detailed above. In apreferred embodiment, the predetermined contour includes a plurality ofarcuately formed tines 24 which enhances the breaking of obstacles whenthe first post member 4 is driven into the ground surface 26. Thearcuately formed tines 24 of the projection 22 are formed preferably ofthe same material as the driving member 20 (the preferred embodiment,steel) and may be integrally formed with the driving member 20.Furthermore, the plurality of arcuately formed tines 24 includesharpened edges for enhancing and helping driving of the first postmember 4 into the ground surface 26.

The fence post 2, in yet another preferred embodiment, further includesa third post member 8 fixedly coupled to a front surface of the firstpost member 4, as seen in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7. In an alternativeembodiment, the third post member 8 may be integrally formed with thefirst post member 4 to form the overall fence post 2. With the thirdpost member 8 fixedly coupled to a back surface of the first post member4, the driving member 20 is extended to cover the bottom surface of notonly the first post member 4, the second post member 6, but also thethird post member 8, as seen in FIG. 2. In this manner, the drivingmember 20 protects an entire bottom surface of the fence post 2(including the first, second and third post members).

Similar to the first post member 4 and the second post member 6, thethird post member 8 has a substantially rectangular cross-section.Additionally, the third post member 8 is formed preferably includingthermoplastic resins or thermoset materials. Similar to the materialsused in the first post member 4 and the second post member 6, examplesof thermoset materials used in molding the third post member 8 includesawdust, wood flour, bamboo, kenaf grass, light weight ceramics, andscrap rubber. Additional thermoset resins include polyurea, phenolics,melamine, glues, and other urea resins. As detailed above, the excellentproperties of thermoset materials are well-known in the art and thus,their use within the molding/fabrication of the third post member 8leads to the excellent characteristics of the overall fence post 2, asdetailed above.

Also as detailed above, the first post member 4 and second post member 6preferably include at least one cavity 16 formed therein for receiving apreserving composition 18. In the preferred embodiment, the cavity 16 isformed on a bottom surface 30 of the first and second post member 4, 6.However, when a third post member 8 is fixed to the front surface of thepost member 4, another cavity 16 may be formed on the overall bottomsurface of the first, second and third post members, as seen in FIG. 2.Thus, the cavity 16 formed on the bottom surfaces of the first, secondand third post members 4, 6 and 8 will receive the preservingcompositions 18 therein. Since adding a third post member 8 increasesthe surface area of the bottom surface of the fence post 2, addingadditional cavities 16 to the bottom surface of the second post memberonly enhances the ability of the fence post 2 to incorporate preservingcompositions 18 to prevent degradation, infestation by termites/insects,or by degradation by fungus.

As the fence post 2 includes the first post member 4 and the second postmember 6 and third post member 8, the driving member 20 is extended tocover bottom surfaces thereof; thus, the driving member will includeadditional projections 22 having predetermined contours projecting fromthe bottom surface thereof. Thus, the driving member 20 will enhancebreaking of obstacles in the path of the entire fence post 2 (includingthe first post member 4, second post member 6 and third post member 8)when the fence post 2 is driven through a ground surface 26.

Similar to the driving member 20 covering the cavity 16 of the first andsecond post members 4, 6, when cavities are formed in the bottom surfaceof the third post member 8, the driving member 20 will cover and protectpreserving compositions 18 therein, as detailed above for the first postmember 4 and second post member 6.

Although this invention has been described in connection with specificforms and embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that variousmodifications other than those discussed above may be resorted towithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. It isunderstood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to theparticular embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover modificationswithin the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by theappended Claims.

1. A fence post comprising: a first post member having a substantiallyrectangular cross section and including at least one through railopening formed therethrough; at least one through wire opening formedthrough said first post member, said at least one through wire openinghaving an insulating member positioned therein; at least one cavityformed in said first post member for receiving a preserving compositiontherein; and a driving member fixed to a bottom surface of said firstpost member and covering a portion thereof, said driving memberincluding at least one projection having a predetermined contourprojecting from a bottom surface thereof for breaking obstacles as saidfirst post member is driven through a ground surface.
 2. The fence postas recited in claim 1, further comprising a second post member fixedlycoupled to a back surface of said first post member.
 3. The fence postas recited in claim 2, where said driving member is extended to cover atleast a portion of a bottom surface of said second post member.
 4. Thefence post as recited in claim 1, where said first post member includesa pair of opposing side surfaces having concave contours.
 5. The fencepost as recited in claim 1, where said first post member includes a pairof substantially planar opposing side surfaces.
 6. The fence post asrecited in claim 2, where said first and second post members are formedfrom materials selected from the group consisting of wood boards, woodscraps, recycled composites, bamboo, kenaf grass and ceramic materials.7. The fence post as recited in claim 6, where said first and secondpost members further include thermoset compositions molded therein. 8.The fence post as recited in claim 1, where said predetermined contourincludes a plurality of arcuately formed tines for breaking theobstacles.
 9. The fence post as recited in claim 1, where saidpreserving composition is formed of materials selected from the groupconsisting of sodium borate, silica gel, and permanganate manganese ore.10. The fence post as recited in claim 1, where said at least one cavityis formed on said bottom surface of said first post member.
 11. A fencepost comprising: a first post member having a substantially rectangularcross section and including at least one through rail opening formedtherethrough; at least one through wire opening formed through saidfirst post member, said at least one through wire opening having aninsulating member positioned therein; at least one cavity formed in saidfirst post member for receiving a preserving composition therein; asecond post member integrally formed on a back surface of said firstpost member; and a driving member fixed to bottom surfaces of said firstpost member and said second post member, said driving member includingat least one projection having a predetermined contour projecting from abottom surface thereof for breaking obstacles as said first and secondpost members are driven through a ground surface.
 12. The fence post asrecited in claim 11, further comprising a third post member integrallyformed on a front surface of said first post member.
 13. The fence postas recited in claim 12, where said driving member is extended to coverat least a portion of a bottom surface of said third post member. 14.The fence post as recited in claim 12, where said first, second, andthird post members are formed from materials selected from the groupconsisting of wood boards, wood scraps, recycled composites, bamboo,kenaf grass, and ceramic materials.
 15. The fence post as recited inclaim 11, where said predetermined contour includes a plurality ofarcuately formed tines for breaking the obstacles.
 16. The fence post asrecited in claim 11, where said at least one cavity is formed on saidbottom surface of said first post member.
 17. A fence post comprising: afirst post member having a substantially rectangular cross section andincluding at least one through rail opening formed therethrough, saidfirst pots member including a pair of opposing side surfaces havingconcave contours; at least one through wire opening formed through saidfirst post member, said at least one through wire opening having aninsulating member positioned therein; at least one cavity formed in saidfirst post member for receiving a preserving composition therein; asecond post member fixedly coupled to a back surface of said first postmember; a third post member fixedly coupled to a front surface of saidfirst post member; a driving member fixed to bottom surfaces of saidfirst, second and third post members, said driving member including atleast one projection having a predetermined contour projecting from abottom surface thereof for breaking obstacles as the fence post isdriven through a ground surface.
 18. The fence post as recited in claim17, where said first, second and third post members are formed frommaterials selected from the group consisting of wood boards, woodscraps, recycled composites, bamboo, kenaf grass, and ceramic materials.19. The fence post as recited in claim 16, where said predeterminedcontour includes a plurality of arcuately formed tines for breaking theobstacles.
 20. The fence post as recited in claim 16, where saidpreserving composition is formed of materials selected from the groupconsisting of sodium borate, silica gel, and permanganate manganese ore.